Oral cancer surgery: your questions answered

Oral cancer, or mouth cancer, includes cancers affecting the lips, tongue, cheeks, floor of the mouth, hard and soft palate, sinuses, and pharynx. It often starts as a painless sore or growth. Risk factors include tobacco and alcohol use, HPV infection, and poor oral hygiene. Early detection is key for successful treatment.

Diagnosis involves a physical exam, including visual inspection and palpation. Biopsies confirm the presence of cancerous cells. Imaging (CT, MRI) assesses the cancer's extent. At Mouth Cancer Surgeons, Dr. Pradeep S. and Dr. Kalpa Pandya use advanced techniques for accurate diagnosis and staging.

Treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. Surgery often involves removing the tumour and affected lymph nodes. Reconstruction may be needed to restore function and appearance. Treatment plans are individualized based on the cancer's stage and location.

Glossectomy involves removing part or all of the tongue. Partial glossectomy removes a small portion, while total glossectomy removes the entire tongue. Reconstruction techniques, such as flaps, help restore function. Speech therapy is often needed post-surgery to improve speech and swallowing.

Risks include bleeding, infection, swelling, nerve damage, and difficulty with speech or swallowing. Side effects vary depending on the extent of surgery. Reconstruction can minimize functional deficits. Dr. Pradeep S. and Dr. Kalpa Pandya take steps to mitigate these risks.

Mouth Cancer Surgeons, led by Dr. Pradeep S. and Dr. Kalpa Pandya, offer comprehensive oral cancer screening in Chennai. They consult at Apollo Main Hospital on Greams Road. Regular screening is crucial for early detection, especially for high-risk individuals.

The cost of oral cancer treatment varies depending on the stage, location, and treatment plan. Surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy contribute to the overall expense. Consultations with Dr. Pradeep S. and Dr. Kalpa Pandya can provide a detailed cost estimate based on individual needs.

Recovery time varies depending on the extent of surgery and reconstruction. Initial recovery may take several weeks, with ongoing rehabilitation. Speech and swallowing therapy aid in regaining function. Regular follow-up appointments are essential for monitoring and support.

OPMD are tissue changes in the mouth that carry a risk of turning into cancer. Leukoplakia and oral submucous fibrosis are the common examples. They are not cancer, and finding them early is what lets us treat you before any malignant transformation happens.

Chewing areca nut, betel quid and tobacco. Nutritional deficiency makes the mucosal stiffness and the restricted mouth opening worse. Stopping the habit is the first step in OSMF management, and nothing else works properly without it.

We examine it, and if it has not gone away we biopsy it. A biopsy means taking a small sample of the tissue and looking at it under a microscope for abnormal cells or dysplasia. That is the only way to know whether a persistent white patch is harmless or not.

If your mouth opening is severely restricted, we release the fibrotic bands surgically. The raw areas are then covered with healthy tissue, such as a buccal pad of fat. Physiotherapy after the OSMF release is essential, because that is what keeps the opening you gained.

It depends on what you actually need: medical therapy, laser excision, or reconstructive surgery. We give you a clear cost breakdown at your consultation, once we know which of those applies to you.

Because these lesions can recur, and they can change over time. Regular review means any new abnormal tissue is picked up and treated straight away, which is how we keep your risk of oral cancer down.

Yes. We do remote video consultations for patients across South India and South Asia. You can share your reports and discuss the plan with us before you travel to Chennai. Start with a second opinion.

Dr. Pradeep S. and Dr. Kalpa Pandya, personally. The same two surgeons see you from the first diagnostic biopsy through to long-term surveillance. You will not be handed between teams.

It is the surgery that rebuilds the mouth and jaws after a tumour is removed or after an injury, so that structure, function and appearance are restored. Dr. Pradeep S. and Dr. Kalpa Pandya use these techniques to help you speak, chew and swallow comfortably again, and the repair is planned as part of the oral cancer operation rather than left for later.

A flap means moving healthy tissue from one part of your body into the mouth, with its blood supply intact. That can be a local flap from the tongue or cheek, a regional flap such as the pectoralis major myocutaneous (PMMC) flap, or a complex free flap. Free flaps are planned and performed in coordination with plastic surgery specialists.

A pectoralis major myocutaneous (PMMC) flap is a regional reconstructive technique where muscle and skin from the chest are moved to the mouth or jaw. It provides a reliable blood supply and bulk, making it ideal for repairing large defects after oral cancer surgery.

Jaw reconstruction is led by our oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) consultants, Dr. Pradeep S. and Dr. Kalpa Pandya. For complex microvascular free flaps such as fibula or radial forearm flaps, we plan and perform the surgery in close collaboration with expert reconstructive plastic surgeons.

You heal in hospital first, then rehabilitation of speech and swallowing begins gradually. We give you personalised guidance on wound care, liquid or soft diets, and physical therapy, and speech and swallowing therapy is part of that. Long-term follow-up makes sure the reconstructed tissues heal well and keep working.

Yes, reconstructive surgery after oral cancer is generally considered medically necessary and is covered by most health insurance policies and government schemes in India. Our administrative team helps patients with the necessary documentation for pre-authorization and claims.

The cost depends on the type of reconstruction (primary closure, local flap, PMMC, obturator or free flap), the hospital and room category, and the length of stay. We give a clear, itemised estimate after reviewing your case, and most reconstructive surgery is insurance-covered as medically necessary.

We aim to see patients quickly, and reconstruction is usually planned alongside tumour clearance. You can request a consultation at Apollo Main Hospital on Greams Road. We also offer remote video second opinions for outstation and international patients before they travel.

A glossectomy is a surgical procedure to remove all or part of the tongue to treat tongue cancer. It is designed to eliminate the tumour while preserving as much oral function as possible.

The surgery is performed under general anesthesia. The surgeon removes the tumour with a safe margin of healthy tissue, often using frozen-section control to ensure all cancer is gone, followed by reconstruction if needed.

The cost of tongue cancer surgery in Chennai depends on the tumour size, the need for neck dissection, reconstruction type, and the hospital stay. We assist with insurance pre-authorizations to help manage costs.

Initial hospital recovery takes about 7 to 14 days, especially if reconstruction is performed. Complete healing and functional speech or swallowing rehabilitation can take several weeks to a few months.

For a partial glossectomy, speech usually returns to near-normal quickly. For larger surgeries, dedicated speech therapy helps you adapt and regain clear, functional communication over time.

We prioritize urgent cancer consultations. You can typically secure an appointment or a remote second opinion with Dr. Pradeep S. or Dr. Kalpa Pandya within 24 to 48 hours.

A neck dissection is performed if imaging or clinical examination suggests the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, or if the tumour depth indicates a high risk of microscopic spread.

Watch for a tongue ulcer or sore that does not heal within two to three weeks, a lump or thickened area, a persistent red or white patch, unexplained pain, bleeding, or numbness. Any of these lasting beyond a few weeks should be examined promptly.

They perform surgeries and consult at Apollo Main Hospital on Greams Road, a premier institution in Chennai.

Neck dissection is a surgical procedure to remove lymph nodes from the neck. It is performed when oral cancer has spread, or is highly likely to spread, to these nodes. The surgery helps clear the disease and allows for precise staging.

Lymph nodes are the primary pathway through which oral cancer spreads. Removing them prevents the cancer from traveling further into the body and helps your surgeons determine if additional treatments like radiation are required.

Selective neck dissection removes only the lymph nodes most at risk, preserving muscles, nerves, and veins. Radical neck dissection is more extensive, removing all lymph node groups along with some non-lymphatic structures if the cancer has invaded them.

Potential risks include temporary or permanent shoulder weakness due to nerve manipulation, neck stiffness, numbness of the skin, fluid accumulation, and standard surgical risks like infection or bleeding. Our surgeons take extreme care to preserve vital nerves.

The cost depends on the type of dissection needed, hospital stay duration, and whether reconstruction is performed. Most major health insurance policies cover this cancer-directed surgery. Our team helps coordinate pre-authorisation with partner hospitals.

Most patients stay in the hospital for 3 to 5 days. Surgical drains are usually removed before discharge. While initial healing takes about 2 to 3 weeks, complete physical rehabilitation for neck and shoulder mobility can take several months.

If the spinal accessory nerve is stretched or removed during surgery, you may experience temporary shoulder weakness or stiffness. Directed physical therapy exercises started early in the recovery phase help restore normal function and movement.

We understand that a cancer diagnosis is urgent. We prioritise newly diagnosed patients and second opinions. You can typically secure an appointment with Dr. Pradeep S. or Dr. Kalpa Pandya within 24 to 48 hours.

A mandibulectomy is the surgical removal of a portion of the lower jaw bone (mandible). It is typically performed to treat oral cancers that have invaded or grown close to the jaw bone, ensuring all cancer cells are completely removed.

A segmental mandibulectomy is recommended when imaging scans (like CT or MRI) show that the cancer has invaded the inner marrow of the jaw bone. If the cancer is only on the surface, a marginal mandibulectomy may be performed instead.

The cost of mandibulectomy jaw surgery in Chennai depends on several factors, including the extent of the bone removal, the type of reconstruction required (such as a microvascular free flap), and the hospital stay. Our team helps coordinate with insurance providers to maximize your coverage.

Initial hospital recovery takes about 7 to 14 days, depending on the complexity of the reconstruction. Complete bone healing and functional rehabilitation, including speech and swallowing therapy, typically take 3 to 6 months.

We understand that an oral cancer diagnosis requires urgent attention. You can typically secure an appointment or a second opinion with Dr. Pradeep S. or Dr. Kalpa Pandya within 24 to 48 hours at our Chennai consulting locations.

Yes, though it requires time and rehabilitation. Rebuilding the jaw bone preserves facial structure, while speech and swallowing therapy help you regain normal function. Most patients transition back to a soft or normal diet over several months.

We use advanced virtual surgical planning and 3D computer modeling to map out the surgery. This allows Dr. Pradeep S. and Dr. Kalpa Pandya to precisely plan the bone cuts and reconstructive plates before the procedure begins.

Yes, mandibulectomy for oral cancer is a medically necessary oncological procedure and is covered by most major health insurance policies and government schemes in India. Our partner hospitals assist with the pre-authorization process.

A wide local excision is a surgical procedure to remove an oral tumour along with a surrounding margin of healthy tissue. This healthy border is crucial to ensure that all microscopic cancer cells are completely removed, reducing the risk of the disease returning.

Our surgeons use intraoperative frozen section margins. While you are asleep, a pathologist immediately examines the edges of the removed tissue under a microscope. If any cancer cells are detected at the borders, additional tissue is removed until clear margins are confirmed.

The primary risk factors include chronic tobacco chewing, gutka consumption, smoking, and heavy alcohol use. Persistent irritation from sharp teeth or chronic conditions like oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) also increase the risk of developing oral cancer.

The cost of oral cancer excision in Chennai depends on several factors, including the size of the tumour, whether neck dissection or reconstruction is required, and the hospital stay. We assist patients with insurance pre-authorization and provide detailed cost estimates during the consultation.

Hospital stay typically ranges from 5 to 10 days depending on the extent of reconstruction. Initial wound healing takes about 2 weeks, while complete functional recovery, including speech and swallowing rehabilitation, can take 6 to 12 weeks.

Most patients with early-stage cancers regain normal speech and swallowing. For larger tumours, immediate reconstructive surgery using tissue flaps, followed by structured speech and swallowing therapy, helps restore these essential functions as much as possible.

Yes, surgical treatment for confirmed oral cancer is generally covered by most commercial health insurance policies and government health schemes in India. Our administrative team helps coordinate with insurance providers for cashless approval.

We understand the urgency of an oral cancer diagnosis. You can typically secure an appointment with Dr. Pradeep S. or Dr. Kalpa Pandya within 24 to 48 hours. Outstation patients can also request a remote review of their biopsy and scan reports.